Best Bourbon you tried this year - 2014

[kaiserhog]

Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Yellow Label for everyday.

[Gillman]

I'd have to say a sample of Barterhouse kindly provided by DanZ in New York. It was remarkably pale for 20 years old, on the sweet side with a slight weathered wood or possibly rancio note. Excellent example of old whiskey that is really good although I know not everyone likes the "touch of weather" taste. I then bought a bottle and of course - it tastes different! Darker, sweeter, woodier/resinous, but as good in its way. The second one reminded me quite a bit of A.H. Hirsch 20.

Gary

[ramblinman]

Reasonably Priced: HHBiB 6 year

Rare/Collectable: PHC Wheat Whiskey

Legendary: HHSS#2

[RWBadley]

I'd have to say a sample of Barterhouse kindly provided by DanZ in New York. It was remarkably pale for 20 years old, on the sweet side with a slight weathered wood or possibly rancio note. Excellent example of old whiskey that is really good although I know not everyone likes the "touch of weather" taste. I then bought a bottle and of course - it tastes different! Darker, sweeter, woodier/resinous, but as good in its way. The second one reminded me quite a bit of A.H. Hirsch 20.

Gary

I agree that it reminds me of 'vintage vintage' bourbon

[sutton]

Reasonably Priced: OWA 7/107 Single Barrels (Yankee Spirits and Loch & Key)

Rare/Collectible: Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2014

Legendary: HHSS #2

Very happy to see the availability of single barrel OWAs that are at least 7+ years old this year and at $22 a steal.

[Jazz Nut]

Great thread. Here are my picks (I've added some honorable mentions):

Reasonably Priced: Elmer T. Lee or Four Roses Single Barrel (these bottles once opened, go quickly)

Rare/Collectible: George T. Stagg, Honorable mention--Pappy Van Winkle 20 (first time ever having Pappy), third place Parker's Heritage POH, fourth place Bookers 25th

Legendary: None so far! I am still waiting to find some good old dusty's!!!

[393foureyedfox]

Reasonably priced? even though one is twice the price of the other, I have to say that both HH6BIB and Larceny are awesome bang-for-the-buck bourbons

I alone will put Dickel 9/103 in the category of the two latter categories, though many will likely disagree with the qualifications of it being rare, collectible, or legendary

[tylermke]

• Reasonably Priced: Four Roses Private Selection (Eagle River OBSV)

• Rare/Collectible: 2012 or 2013 Michter's 20yr bourbon

• Legendary: Rathskeller rye (2006 WLW is a close second)

[Richnimrod]

OK, I've been contemplating this one for a few days, and here are the ones that stick out in my memory (I use the term rather loosely, sorry;...it's the best I can do at my age).

These are from the Gazebo.....

A pour from a bottle of Old Charter 10-year that Fricky brought to the table (I don't know the vintage, but 'dusty' for sure)... JUST Fabulous!

A pour from a bottle of Old Scout brought to the table (I think by Yeti)... it was called 'Jawbreaker' and was a total cinnamon bomb!

A pour from another bottle of Old Scout also at the same table and of a similar provenance (Yeti?), I can't recall the name; but it did have a 'name'. Very, Very Good Bourbon!

These are from my own stash....

A bottle of Old Scout 7-year, picked by The Party Source.... Extremely full-flavored for a Bourbon this young. Tasting this blind, I might have guessed closer to twice this age...

Last but not least; George T. Stagg, 2014. Might be the best Stagg I've ever tasted.... MIGHT? Hard to say without getting 'em together, which, sad to say, can't be done now.

[whiskeyagonzo]

OK, I've been contemplating this one for a few days, and here are the ones that stick out in my memory (I use the term rather loosely, sorry;...it's the best I can do at my age).

These are from the Gazebo.....

A pour from a bottle of Old Charter 10-year that Fricky brought to the table (I don't know the vintage, but 'dusty' for sure)... JUST Fabulous!

A pour from a bottle of Old Scout brought to the table (I think by Yeti)... it was called 'Jawbreaker' and was a total cinnamon bomb!

A pour from another bottle of Old Scout also at the same table and of a similar provenance (Yeti?), I can't recall the name; but it did have a 'name'. Very, Very Good Bourbon!

These are from my own stash....

A bottle of Old Scout 7-year, picked by The Party Source.... Extremely full-flavored for a Bourbon this young. Tasting this blind, I might have guessed closer to twice this age...

Last but not least; George T. Stagg, 2014. Might be the best Stagg I've ever tasted.... MIGHT? Hard to say without getting 'em together, which, sad to say, can't be done now.

That Jawbreaker is something else. Was the other one FS/FT?

Reasonable - OGD114/SAOS/FRPS

Rare/Collectible - Booker's 25/FR 15 year OESK/2014 GTS? (Haven't had it yet, but it's on it's way)

Legends - WLW 2006/Doug's Green and Black Ink. I actually think I prefer the black. Both are the best whiskey to ever cross my lips.

[dSculptor]

Had to give this one a bit of thought, but this is what I came up with:

Reasonably Priced: RHF, just love this stuff

Rare/Collectible: EC18,been hanging onto this one for quite awhile, and just recently popped it.

Legendary: Just had me some '94 OF BIb, I must say .. quite nice, about the only legendary stuff I've had besides some ET vin. '69 which also is quite nice.

[Richnimrod]

That Jawbreaker is something else. Was the other one FS/FT?

I think it may indeed have been that. It was late into my evening, and more than a few (few-dozen?) pours had passed my lips by the time these arrived at the Gazebo; but both (the Jawbreaker and the other Old Scout) were exceptional. I'd still have picked the Charter 10 donated by Fricky though, if someone wanted me to take a bottle home. It would've been close, though.

[GaryT]

That Jawbreaker is something else. Was the other one FS/FT?

I think it may indeed have been that. It was late into my evening, and more than a few (few-dozen?) pours had passed my lips by the time these arrived at the Gazebo; but both (the Jawbreaker and the other Old Scout) were exceptional. I'd still have picked the Charter 10 donated by Fricky though, if someone wanted me to take a bottle home. It would've been close, though.

The other was FS/FT. I forgot Bardstown; if I count those couple of nights, I definitely need to revise my responses for 2 and 3. But don't know where to start Cliff's W12 private selection? Some older Russell's Reserve? Delilah's 21st anniversary 21yr WFE? Too many amazing whiskies to choose from!

[kwshannon]

1. Best reasonably priced - Evan Williams Single Barrel 04 store select from Hy-Vee

2. Best rare/collectible - Four Roses Single Barrel store select OBSQ from Eagle River Liquors

3. Best "legendary" - Did not try one this year

[bjhowell]

Best reasonably priced - Very Old Barton BIB

Best Rare/collectible - 2014 George T. Stagg

Best legendary - Nothing so far this year

[El Vino]

Best Reasonably Priced - Blanton's

Best Rare/Collectible - PVW 20 YO from 2011

Best Legendary - Nada

[t44tq]

Best reasonably priced/ somewhat normal- tie between Rock Hill Farms and Blanton's

Best rare/collectible- tie between FR1BLE2014 and PHC8. I haven't cracked this year's GTS or WLW yet.

Best legendary- nothing I'd say was outstanding. Tried A.H. Hirsch 16 and PVWFRR13 this year, as well as PVW20. I thought Hirsch was good but definitely not outstanding and not worth the current value; the Van Winkle Rye was also good, but not outstanding to me- if I could buy at MSRP, I would, but would not go crazy to get it; PVW20 is too oaky/woody for my taste. To me, GTS is generally outstanding; ORVW10 is generally excellent; FR1B BP private selections are generally excellent to outstanding. I've also had scotch, rum, cognac, armagnac and wine that were outstanding, but that's OT.

[bmajazz]

Best reasonably priced: I'd say tie between OGD 114 and ETL, for different reasons.

Best rare/collectible: probably the 2004 Frankfort Old Weller Antique 7/107. Beat the pants off the S-W stuff blind.

Best legendary: without a doubt, a specific VVOF 12 year, courtesy of a transcendent club tasting I attended. I say specific b/c it wasn't the only one there :bigeyes:

I'm sort of going on the premise that it's for things we tried the first time this year.

[Paul W]

Reasonably priced: HH6BiB kills this category. I would consider it a value if it was $49, but it is $11.

Rare/collectable: dusty ND-era Old Taylor 6. I wish I had more because I know I am going to be sad when my bottle is gone.

Legendary: not applicable for me

[HOF44]

Best Reasonably Priced: Henry McKenna 10 BIB

Rare Collectable: EH Taylor Barrel Proof (129), Have a GTS and ER17 from this year I have yet to sample though.

Legendary: 2006 George T Stagg

[Fort Knox]

Reasonably Priced: I'd go with Smooth Ambler Old Scout or FRSB.

Rare/Collectible: GTS '14. No question about it.

Legendary: PVW23. The only PVW I've ever tasted, and I only got about half a pour, but dang.....so good, I almost wish I hadn't tried it, because now I want more!

[Vadertime]

#1. Wild Turkey 8YO although it seems the supply here has dried up and standard 101 is the new standard.

#2. 1997 Wild Turkey case of 375s that I found.

#3. 1994 Wild Turkey case of 200a that I found.

I am a bit if a broken record, but it is slim pickens for bourbon over here. I can buy JW Green, Aged stated Macallan and all sorts of no longer available Scotches over here, but who wants those? Peaty and sherry-y, yuck! Glenmorangie 10 is pretty good though, but Mellow Corn 4 is just as good really.

[t44tq]

#1. Wild Turkey 8YO although it seems the supply here has dried up and standard 101 is the new standard.

#2. 1997 Wild Turkey case of 375s that I found.

#3. 1994 Wild Turkey case of 200a that I found.

I am a bit if a broken record, but it is slim pickens for bourbon over here. I can buy JW Green, Aged stated Macallan and all sorts of no longer available Scotches over here, but who wants those? Peaty and sherry-y, yuck! Glenmorangie 10 is pretty good though, but Mellow Corn 4 is just as good really.

[tanstaafl2]

Where are you that you can find all sorts of interesting scotch?

[Vadertime]

As his Location description notes he is in exile on Tonghuajie!

(Which happens to be in Taipei, Taiwan I believe)

Tans I'd correct. I don't know why we can still get oop scotch over here, but we can. I think it has has to do with Taiwan being the #2 market by volume and #1 market in growth. Plus, it could be that TW is the bellwether for taste in China.

Cognac used to be huge over here, but at some point scotch became the drink of choice (along with Kaoliang).

Cheers!